[Anamnesis: expert systems and the rediscovery of Cinderella]

Up to today there is universal consensus that the anamnesis is a fundamental and unsubstitutable phase both for the formulation of the diagnosis and for establishing the correct physician-patient relationship. In a high percentage of cases the diagnostic hypothesis formulated during the history taking is successively confirmed. The analysis of the structure of the anamnesis has demonstrated that it realizes a cognitive approach of "phenomenological" type. This kind of approach is fitting with the structure of illness if it is considered during its evolution. The necessity of a reconsideration of the anamnesis also stems from the future likely diffusion of "Expert Systems" to support diagnosis. Their utilization requires, indeed, a correct acquisition of the data from anamnestic and physical examination.